Hajra Bano

Writer in Kashmir

Hajra Bano

Writer in Kashmir

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Hajra Bano, born on October 15, 1998, in Barabanki, Lucknow, India, faced significant challenges from a young age. After losing her father, Faquir Mohammad Jahara, at the age of five, she was placed in the Gulshan-e-Banaat Orphanage under the Jammu Kashmir Yateem Trust due to financial difficulties. Growing up as a care leaver in Gogjipathri, Budgam, Kashmir, Hajra overcame societal stigma and personal hardship to excel academically, graduating with distinction from the Banaat Institute of Education School.

Hajra pursued General Nursing and Midwifery at the Government Ancillary Medical Training, Shreenbagh, Srinagar. Her dedication to healthcare, driven by her experiences, earned her the International Excellence Award in 2024, recognizing her as a leader and role model in the field.

Hajra is also a notable author, having written two books: *Journey from Darkness to Light* and *Who Am I: Breaking Barriers as a Specially Abled Care Leaver*. These works highlight her journey and advocate for the rights of specially abled individuals and care leavers, drawing from her personal experience of being born with hearing loss. She is actively involved in initiatives like LIFT and projects with Udayan Care New Delhi, working to improve support systems for care leavers with disabilities.

Hajra balances her professional life with diverse personal interests. She enjoys traditional Kashmiri cuisine, is disciplined in her dietary habits despite a love for sweets, and admires actors Lee Min-ho and Yang Yang, and singer Lata Mangeshkar. Her favorite color, yellow, reflects her optimistic outlook on life.

Hajra's story is one of resilience, achievement, and advocacy. Her life is a testament to the power of determination, and her work continues to inspire and impact many, particularly in the realms of healthcare and disability rights.